The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-10-12
A GRA PHO DESCRIPTION.

Statements Illustrating the Terrific Force of
the Coilision-Perry's Fight for Life.
Special to tho Indianapolis journal
KoUTs, Ind. Oct 1L-Erie Express. No. II,
pulled out of the Polk-strees depot, the Chi
cago & Atlantic road, at 7:45 o'clock last even
ing. Conductor Parker wss in charge and en-
gneer Connor, land fireman Wiiletts in
the locomotive. The train was made mp of two
sleepers, a day coach. fruit car and baggage
car. The night dark and misty, and the
rails we're slippery. The train had been out of
Chicago but afew minutes when engineer Con-
nor discovered that his engine had broken an
eccentric strap AS this mishap is of frequent
occurrence, Connor continued his trip by
working ono side of his locomotive. The mis-
hap lessened the speed of the train to such an
extent that when it swept by Boone Grove
a dismal prairie station FIVE miles west
of this place. it two hours late
While the crippled passenger train was running
through this bleak strip of country, heavy
frigerator train. with hundreds OF tons of fresh
meat packed into its long line of cars, was thun-
derine along at great speed few miles behind.
John Dorsey was the engineer Of the freight en-
gne. and it is said had orders to look out for the
passenger train. After passing Boone Grove en-.
gineer Conner stopped his train at water tank
two and half miles west of this village mid
as he had leaped from his engine be threw up
the distant semaphore lamp. nearly half q mile
in his roar. This to warn the freight that
the express train had stopped for water. He
had not been at the tank moro then two minutes
when he heard the freight laundering behind.
The grade at this point is very steep, and with
slippery rails heavy train runs at furious
rate. It was too late to warn the train which
was swee ping along at tremendous speed. En-
engineer Dorsey had failed to see the big red
semaphore light. and his locomotive tore through
the fog and mist until it crashed
into the rear Pullman coach. Before
the collision occurred Dorsey and
his fireman saw the lamps burnin the
doomed express train. but it was too late to
avert the disaster. The two men leaped from
their cab. and then the crash came. The engine
of the freight plunged far into tho rear Pull
man that its upper works dropped off in the
center of the coach. The concussion drove the
ond heavy sleeper into the day coach. which
reduced to splinters The platforms Of
every car were torn away and thus wrecked,
The ends Of each coach were broken like egg
shells The cars OF tho freight train we-s
hurled in every direction. The upper works Of
the engine were torn away the tender thrown
across the track, and piled M for twenty rods
About the prairie were thousands OF pounds OF
meat
There were Baker improved heaters on the ex-
press train, but notwithstanding this supposed
improvement over the deadly stove, the Goals ia
the heater quickly set fire to the upholstery OF
the rear Pullman. and in five minutes flame
which was at first scarcely larger than a ribbon,
spread Into brisk blaze. and soon enveloped
the shattered coaches and their screaming occu-
pants. The light from the FIRE illumined the
sky for miles around and startled the farmers
who had not yet gone to bed. Through the rain
and mud the rescuers came Meantime the
crews of both trains, who had escaped with but
sl light injuries. were hard at work dragging tae
helpless passen gers from their blazing prisons.
Nearly all were found to have been
hurled to the front ends of the coaches, where
timbe and irons of the platforms. One man.
the head of a Bohemian family. lay between tn .
baggage car and the day coach. A brake-rod
had been driven through his neck. and thus I'M
paled he perished, while his family lay writhing
in frghtful agony beside him. The fire burned
with the appalling rapid;ty OF all railroad fires.
Reinforced by the farmers and their sturdy boys
the trainmen set about their work with will.
There water close at hand. and pailfui
after pailful were dashed into the cracking
naes.
The railroad officials claim that there were but
twenty passengers the train. but the men
who stood about the train declared that the
screams aud appeals for mercy came from double
that number of human beings. The Pulimans,
although the first to receive the shock, did not
leave the track, but burned where they stood
So far as known. not a life was lost in these
coaches. There were but few persons in thu
berthe, and. although all were hurled one upon
the other. all escaped through the windows be-
fore the flames burst through the flooring. 1t
was on the day-coach that the slaughter
occurred. This fraii box was smashed TO atoms
The sides few out and the heavy roof sprang
into the air. and then came down upon the score
or more of human beings who lay pinned be-
tween the seats
A pathetic incident of the wreck is related by
the station agent 1t is the story OF a young
lady from Ohio whose name could not be re-
membered She was one of the passengers on
the Inflated train, and when the crash came.
with presence of mind and energy worthy OF
strong minded masculine. she seizedian ak from
its resting place the side of the car and
hewed her way through to a.windew. Her own
safety assured, her thoughts tnrned to the help
less unfortnnates whose cries for assistance
sounded behind her. They did not call In vain,
for she rushed in the direction of the cries and
personally aided those persons from the wreck
To use her own laneuage II did all could an6
would have continued had not heard DR.. Psrry
crying and moaning piteously that his feet wert